I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I
was not paying attention.
I suctioned out what I could and then filled it with brake fluid - DOT3.
Then I realized it should be DOT4. Suctioned that out too.
I haven't started the car so figure there has been no circulation yet.
How much damage did I do? Should I have the car taken in for some work
before I run it?
It's a 98 Saab 93, my daugher's car.
Gary
Talisker - 26 Aug 2007 16:48 GMT
oops, it's a 900 SE Turbo.
>I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I
>was not paying attention.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Gary
Eeyore - 26 Aug 2007 18:43 GMT
> I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I
> was not paying attention.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> It's a 98 Saab 93, my daugher's car.
I bet she's really pleased about your 'help'.
Graham
still me - 26 Aug 2007 21:10 GMT
>I haven't started the car so figure there has been no circulation yet.
>How much damage did I do? Should I have the car taken in for some work
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Gary
If you have not stepped on the brake, you are probably OK as the fluid
would sit in the reservoir. However, since tranny fluid is heavier
than brake fluid (at least that's my intuitive guess), it may have
settled. If you can suck all that fluid from the reservoir, then
replace it, it's probably OK...but I'd have the system flushed
completely.
A good shop will have a power system whereby they open the bleeders,
put the power system on the master, and push the fluid out, refilling
as they go. I'd want a good flushing done. Brake fluid contamination
is not a good thing.
Craig's Saab C900 Site - 27 Aug 2007 05:28 GMT
>I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I
>was not paying attention.
>I suctioned out what I could and then filled it with brake fluid - DOT3.
>Then I realized it should be DOT4. Suctioned that out too.
>I haven't started the car so figure there has been no circulation yet.
>How much damage did I do? Should I have the car taken in for some work
>before I run it?
>It's a 98 Saab 93, my daugher's car.
Best bet is to completely flush out the brake system by doing a full bleed
of the brake lines using the correct type of brake fluid. If you end up
sacrificing some DOT-4 fluid to get all of the DOT-3 that's remaining out of
the lines that's certainly worth it since brakes are the #1 most important
system on a car. Doesn't matter how fast a car can go, but it does matter
whether or not it can stop effectively.
Craig.

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Fred W - 27 Aug 2007 12:52 GMT
> I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I
> was not paying attention.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Gary
AS others have said, it is unlikely the ATF has migrated into the
system, but best to flush the brake lines.
By the way, there is minimal dfference between DOT3 and DOT4 brake
fluid. They are both glycol based fluids and can be mixed in a pinch.
The only real contamination would be having the ATF fluid in there.
DOT5 is where the fluid changes completely to a silicon base and is not
compatable with the earlier spec fluids. And no, you do not want to use
DOT5 fluid.

Signature
-Fred W
Richard Sutherland-Smith - 28 Aug 2007 00:04 GMT
>> I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I
>> was not paying attention.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>>
>> Gary
> AS others have said, it is unlikely the ATF has migrated into the
> system, but best to flush the brake lines.
> By the way, there is minimal dfference between DOT3 and DOT4 brake
> fluid. They are both glycol based fluids and can be mixed in a pinch.
> The only real contamination would be having the ATF fluid in there.
> DOT5 is where the fluid changes completely to a silicon base and is not
> compatable with the earlier spec fluids. And no, you do not want to use
> DOT5 fluid.
But 5.1 is OK and mixes! Pity they couldn't find a better designation
for it.

Signature
Richard Sutherland-Smith
19 Webb Road, Wanganui 4500, NZ
John Robertson - 30 Aug 2007 13:13 GMT
you can also use dot 5.1 but not dot 5 as the latter is synthetic silicone
.Suck it out bleed it from the unions on the master cylinder and it should
be ok better still clean out all yyou can then bleed it through .
>I just topped off my brake fluid with transmission fluid. Bad idea, I was
>not paying attention.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Gary